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| ANC is denied two-thirds majority | ANC is denied two-thirds majority |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has won South Africa's general election but failed to obtain a two-thirds majority, final results show. | The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has won South Africa's general election but failed to obtain a two-thirds majority, final results show. |
| The party took 65.9% of about 17m votes, the Democratic Alliance (DA) 16.66% and the Congress of the People (Cope) 7.42%, election officials said. | The party took 65.9% of about 17m votes, the Democratic Alliance (DA) 16.66% and the Congress of the People (Cope) 7.42%, election officials said. |
| A two-thirds majority in parliament is needed to change the constitution. | A two-thirds majority in parliament is needed to change the constitution. |
| The outcome clears the way for ANC party leader Jacob Zuma to become president when parliament convenes. | The outcome clears the way for ANC party leader Jacob Zuma to become president when parliament convenes. |
| The ANC lost Western Cape province, centre of the tourist industry, to the DA but it made inroads against the Inkatha Freedom Party in Kwazulu-Natal, home province of Mr Zuma. | The ANC lost Western Cape province, centre of the tourist industry, to the DA but it made inroads against the Inkatha Freedom Party in Kwazulu-Natal, home province of Mr Zuma. |
| The election turnout was 77% - 1% higher than in the 2004 election. | The election turnout was 77% - 1% higher than in the 2004 election. |
| Party leaders are expected to assemble at the national results centre in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon to hear the formal announcement that will mark the end of the 2009 election. | Party leaders are expected to assemble at the national results centre in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon to hear the formal announcement that will mark the end of the 2009 election. |
| Enigmatic leader | Enigmatic leader |
| The ANC won 69.69% of the vote in the last election in 2004, when it was led by Thabo Mbeki, and 66.35% in 1999. | The ANC won 69.69% of the vote in the last election in 2004, when it was led by Thabo Mbeki, and 66.35% in 1999. |
| ELECTION RESULTS ANC: 65.90% Democratic Alliance: 16.66%Cope: 7.42%.Votes counted: 17.68mTurnout: 77.3% Source: IEC In pictures: ANC celebrations Can ANC deliver on its promises? | |
| ANC spokesman Ishmael Mnisi attempted to downplay the drop in support of nearly 4%, saying: "We don't read much into percentages." | ANC spokesman Ishmael Mnisi attempted to downplay the drop in support of nearly 4%, saying: "We don't read much into percentages." |
| He repeated that the party did not intend to change the constitution therefore it did not need a two-thirds majority. | He repeated that the party did not intend to change the constitution therefore it did not need a two-thirds majority. |
| Mr Zuma, a populist who spent 10 years in prison during the apartheid era for ANC membership, faces challenges including a struggling economy and soaring violent crime. | Mr Zuma, a populist who spent 10 years in prison during the apartheid era for ANC membership, faces challenges including a struggling economy and soaring violent crime. |
| Charges of corruption against him were dropped just two weeks before the poll after state prosecutors said there had been political interference in the case. | Charges of corruption against him were dropped just two weeks before the poll after state prosecutors said there had been political interference in the case. |
| The BBC's Africa analyst, Martin Plaut, says the ANC leader is still something of an enigma - part Zulu traditionalist, part international leader who jets around the world. | The BBC's Africa analyst, Martin Plaut, says the ANC leader is still something of an enigma - part Zulu traditionalist, part international leader who jets around the world. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY I am hoping that Jacob Zuma will lead by example Ntombi, Cape Town | HAVE YOUR SAY I am hoping that Jacob Zuma will lead by example Ntombi, Cape Town |
| During the fight against apartheid Mr Zuma was head of internal security for the ANC, when some people were killed and some tortured. | During the fight against apartheid Mr Zuma was head of internal security for the ANC, when some people were killed and some tortured. |
| It is not clear how much he knew or sanctioned, says our correspondent. | It is not clear how much he knew or sanctioned, says our correspondent. |
| But Mr Zuma is also a skilled conciliator, credited with ending the political violence in KwaZulu-Natal and helping to bring peace to Burundi. | But Mr Zuma is also a skilled conciliator, credited with ending the political violence in KwaZulu-Natal and helping to bring peace to Burundi. |
| Polls praised | Polls praised |
| DA leader Helen Zille received a hero's welcome in Cape Town to. | DA leader Helen Zille received a hero's welcome in Cape Town to. |
| Helen Zille (left) received a boisterous welcome in Cape Town | Helen Zille (left) received a boisterous welcome in Cape Town |
| She said the party would be looking to form a coalition. | She said the party would be looking to form a coalition. |
| Analysts say this is likely to be with Cope, formed by dissident ANC supporters of former President Thabo Mbeki who resigned last year after losing a power struggle with Mr Zuma. | Analysts say this is likely to be with Cope, formed by dissident ANC supporters of former President Thabo Mbeki who resigned last year after losing a power struggle with Mr Zuma. |
| African Union observer mission head Salim Ahmed Salim said the poll had been free, fair, transparent and credible. | African Union observer mission head Salim Ahmed Salim said the poll had been free, fair, transparent and credible. |
| Its vibrancy "had done honour not only to the people of South Africa but to Africa as a whole", he said. | Its vibrancy "had done honour not only to the people of South Africa but to Africa as a whole", he said. |